Plane isolated at Madrid airport for Ebola

SPANISH authorities have isolated an Air France plane at Madrid's airport and activated emergency health procedures after a passenger's reported fever and shivers was treated as a suspected Ebola case, officials say.

A SPANISH Airport Authority spokeswoman said the passenger jet had arrived in Madrid from Paris on Thursday.

She said the plane was taken to a special area of the airport and the passengers were being kept on board.A health ministry spokeswoman said they were treating it as a suspected case of Ebola.Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with the regulations of their respective offices.The private Europa Press news agency said there were 183 passengers on the plane.

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US factory output rises 0.5% in September

US manufacturing output rose in September, led by gains for aerospace products, furniture, clothing and plastics.

THE Federal Reserve said on Thursday that factory production rose 0.5 per cent in September after falling 0.5 per cent in August. Over the past 12 months, manufacturing output has increased 3.7 per cent.

The continued pace of manufacturing output will likely be a bellwether for the broader economy.Job growth has been solid for much of 2014, yet the stock market has been hammered over the past week over concerns about Europe's financial footing, the slowdown in China's economy and Ebola outbreaks across three continents.Stalled growth - if not the risk of recession - in much of Europe could cut into demand for US exports.Total industrial production surged 1 per cent last month, as output from mines and utilities both increased.Despite the gains, autos appear to have downshifted after driving much of the output growth of the past year.Factory production of motor vehicles and parts slid 1.4 per cent in September, the second straight monthly decline after tumbling 7 per cent in August.Most economists expected a decline after auto production soared in July, largely because there were fewer plant shutdowns in July made output look stronger after the government adjusted the figure for normal seasonal variationsThat decline was more than offset by improvements in other sectors. Furniture output rose 2.4 per cent in September, while aerospace products climbed 1.7 per cent. Clothing increased 1.5 per cent, as plastics, rubber, chemicals and computer production also improved.

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US jobless aid claims fall to 14-year low

THE number of people seeking US unemployment aid dropped to the lowest level in 14 years last week, the latest signal that companies are cutting few workers and hiring could remain healthy.

THE Labour Department says weekly applications for unemployment aid fell 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 264,000, the lowest level since April 2000.

Given that the US population has grown considerably since then, the proportion of the US workforce applying for benefits is even smaller. Applications are a proxy for layoffs.The figures come as concerns about slowing global economic growth have roiled financial markets for the past week. A drop in US retail sales, reported on Wednesday, intensified the volatility.The four-week average of applications, a less volatile measure, dropped 4250 to 283,500, the lowest level since June 2000.

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Travel for free around NZ as an intern

IF you do, you could be eligible for an internship which requires you to travel around New Zealand and convince Aussies to do the same.

Holiday operators Experience Oz + NZ have launched a competition for what it says is New Zealand's ultimate internship.The program includes 10 days of travel for four people through Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, Matamata and Auckland.Accommodation, experiences, car hire and flights - valued at $NZ30,000 ($A27,929) - will be paid for, and in return interns have to share their trip through photos, social media and video."We are looking for four New Zealanders to showcase their backyard to their Aussie mates across the ditch," says business manager Michelle Woodroff.Some of the tasks interns must fulfil includes bungy jumping, sky diving, jet boating, visiting an active volcano, and going on a tour of The Hobbiton movie set.To apply, candidates must submit a visual resume with their best photos or videos of their favourite landmarks or experiences from their hometown.Applications close on October 27, with the winner announced in the first week of November so interns can start working and travelling during the semester break.

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NZ wins UN Security Council seat

NEW Zealand has won a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

THE UN's 193 member states voted by secret ballot early on Friday morning (AEDT and NZT), with New Zealand topping the vote ahead of competing nations in their group, Spain and Turkey.

Turkey and Spain will compete in a second ballot for the remaining spot.New Zealand secured 145 first round votes, compared to Spain's 121 and Turkey's 109.The nations needed a majority of 129 to claim the seat.The three other new non-permanent members elected at the UN's headquarters in New York, Malaysia, Venezuela and Angola, ran unopposed for their three regional seats.A seat on the Security Council gives nations a high-profile opportunity to weigh in on world issues and events, just as outgoing member Australia did with the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine and the formation of the coalition against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.There are 15 seats on the Security Council, which is charged with responsibility for world peace and stability.There are five permanent members, the US, Britain, China, France and Russia.The 10 non-permanent seats rotate on two-year terms and are based on five regions.New Zealand was in the Western European and Others group.The last time New Zealand held one of the non-permanent seats was 1994.

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